Kalymnos Municipality temporarily closes 10 crags for maintenance

Following the tragic death of 60-year-old Czech climber Petr Hruban, who died after falling 10 meters at the crag Jurassic Park due to triple bolt failure, the Municipality of Kalymnos has now temporarily closed for maintenance 10 crags on the Greek island. These are Saint Photis, Monastery, Austrians, Sympligades, Spartacus, Jurassic Park, Galatiani, Cave, Ourania and Kreissaal. The works fall into the restoration program previously launched by the Municipality and the closed crags will be checked and, if necessary, rebolted. Climbers are strongly advised to avoid "non-maintained routes" until further notice, ie climbs which are bolted with stainless steel expansion bolts, as opposed to glue-in titanium bolts.

The Municipality project should not be confused with Rebolt Kalymnos, the grassroots nonprofit project set up by volunteers. While both are working to ensure climbing safety, they are two independent projects, the former relying on government funding, the latter entirely on private donations.

In the immediate aftermath of the fatal accident, Rebolt Kalymnos published its updated list of all rebolted climbs, has significantly stepped up its rebolting campaign to substitute ageing anchors, and advises not to climb on any routes bolted prior to 2006 that have not yet been rebolted.

For all Rebolt Kalymnos updates and donations check out: reboltkalymnos.org